Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 4

Written Answers. - Inter-School Project Programme.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

271 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education if she has received an application for support and official recognition for the European Children's Inter-School Project Programme, prepared by a person (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this project is consistent with moves in other countries towards European studies in schools and inter-action between schools in different parts of the European Community; and if she is prepared to have this project supported as a pilot scheme or otherwise.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I have received the application for support for a project entitled "European Children's Inter-School Project".

My Department is already giving financial and pedagogical support to a European Studies Project involving primarily schools in this State, Northern Ireland and England and also schools in Belgium, France and Germany. The ages of the pupils involved in this project range from 11 to 18 years. This project is due to terminate in September, 1992 and I have arranged for a detailed evaluation of this project in conjunction with the other education authorities involved.

The proposal for the project referred to in the question has many similarities with the existing pilot project and I do not propose to commit any further funds to this area until I have the evaluation of the European Studies Project to hand.

The proposer has been informed that my Department is not in a position to support his proposal for a European Children's Inter-School Project Programme in the present circumstances.